Ashley's Basil Gnocchi

Fresh herbs add tons of flavor to any dish, and they're bountiful in the summertime. Mix chopped basil into these simple gnocchi, then pair with a classic combination: chopped fresh tomatoes, pine nuts and Parmesan.

Wok-Fired Okra Sambal

Okra is a Southern staple, but here it gets a kick from a few Asian ingredients: chili paste, oyster sauce and fried shallots. You can buy fried shallots in tubs or jars at Asian markets, or just fry thinly sliced shallots in 350 degree F oil until crisp.

Tomato Sauce

Alton begins his tomato sauce by roasting Roma tomatoes with onion, garlic and herbs, then adds white wine to the puree for a full-bodied flavor. This diverse sauce can be used in everything from pastas to soups to sandwiches.

Brioche and Berry Bread Pudding with Lemon Fondant

Tyler takes advantage of seasonal summer fruit and citrus flavors by topping his individual-sized bread puddings with a simple lemon fondant and a few berries. The spongy brioche is just the thing to soak up the berry juices and the delicate fondant.

Bulgur-Stuffed Summer Vegetables

A mixture of bulgur, chopped peppers and cremini mushrooms makes a hearty stuffing for halved bell peppers and zucchini. Use an assortment of eye-catching red and yellow bell peppers for a festive and filling vegetarian dish.

Spiced Green Salad

Spice up your salad with a simple dressing: Toast allspice and cumin in a skillet, then toss with lemon, olive oil, salt and sugar. Make this flexible dish with whatever salad greens you find at your local farmers' market.